LeBron James has been cleared to return to practice next week and will "progress towards a return to game play thereafter," the Los Angeles Lakers announced Wednesday in an emailed statement.

The Lakers confirmed an earlier report that James will not accompany the team on its upcoming two-game road trip.

The 14-time All-Star has participated in on-court activities - including shooting - but has not taken part in a full practice session since suffering a groin injury Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors.

The news all but ensures James will set a new career record for most missed contests in a regular season; the most he'd previously sat out was 13. As of Wednesday, he had missed 11 straight.